Emergency crews respond to an explosion that levelled two apartment buildings in East Harlem, New York (AP)Firefighters continue to spray water on the smouldering debris from an explosion in Harlem (AP)Firefighters continue to investigate and remove debris from an explosion in Harlem (AP)A man is loaded onto a stretcher by emergency service workers near the scene of where the two buildings collapsed. ReutersNew York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York. ReutersFiremen continue to spray water on the rubble at an apparent building explosion and collapse in the Harlem section of New York, in this picture provided by the New York City Mayor's Office. ReutersFiremen stand in the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York, in this picture provided by the New York City Mayor's Office. ReutersSmoke rises from the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York in this picture provided by the New York City Mayor's Office. ReutersNew York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion and collapse in the Harlem section of New York. ReutersNew York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York. ReutersFirefighters respond to an explosion that leveled two apartment buildings in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York. APNew York Mayor Bill de Blasio talks to City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito before a press conference to report on a five-alarm fire and building collapseNew York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New YorkNew York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York. ReutersThe One57 building in Manhattan, New YorkNew York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York. ReutersNew York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York. ReuterNew York City Firefighters dig through rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York. Reuters

A fourth person has been confirmed killed by an explosion that flattened two New York City apartment blocks, while nine occupants of the buildings are still unaccounted for.

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Fourth death after New York blast

Independent.ie

A fourth person has been confirmed killed by an explosion that flattened two New York City apartment blocks, while nine occupants of the buildings are still unaccounted for.

The body of an adult male was pulled from the rubble just after midnight local time, the fire department said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A gas leak triggered the explosion yesterday morning on Park Avenue and 116th Street in East Harlem, Manhattan. The blast also injured more than 60 people, at least three of them children.

Authorities say the fiery blast erupted about 15 minutes after a neighbouring resident reported smelling gas. The Con Edison utility said it sent workers to check out the report, but they did not arrive until it was too late.

One of the three people killed was identified as a security officer at a Manhattan college. Hunter College president Jennifer Raab said Griselde Camacho had worked there since 2008.

Another victim was identified as a dental hygienist and cousin of a television news cameraman.

A police spokeswoman identified the victim as 67-year-old Carmen Tanco. Ms Tanco's cousin, News 12 cameraman Angel Vargas, said his family started a frantic search after she failed to show up for work yesterday.

The explosion shattered windows a block away, rained debris on to elevated commuter railway lines close by, cast a plume of smoke over the skyline and sent people running into the streets.

Fire officials said some people were unaccounted for but cautioned they might not have been in the buildings.

Edward Foppiano, a Con Edison senior vice president, said there was only one gas odour complaint on record with the utility from either address, and it was last May. It was a small leak in customer piping and was fixed, he said.

The block was last checked on February 28 as part of a regular leak survey, and no problems were detected, Mr Foppiano said.